Amir left out of Pakistan’s WC squad

Afp, Lahore

20 April, 2019 12:00 AM

Pakistan selectors Thursday left out pace spearhead Mohammad Amir from the preliminary 15-man squad for next month’s World Cup to be held in England.

The 27-year-old has been in wretched form since guiding Pakistan to win over India in the Champions trophy final in June 2017, with just four wickets in 14 matches.

But the left-arm fast bowler, who missed the 2011 and 2015 World Cup due to a five-year ban on match fixing imposed in 2010, has a lifeline as teams can be changed until May 23 — seven days before the ten-team event starts. Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said Amir’s form was concerning.

“Amir had not performed as well as was expected of him,” said Inzamam, who was part of Pakistan’s World Cup winning team in 1992.

Amir is included in the 17-man squad for the five-match one-day series against England from May 5-19, and can regain his World Cup place if he performs well.

“We have included Amir for the England series with a hope that he regains his rhythm and wicket-taking ability in the series,” said Inzamam.

Allrounder Mohammad Hafeez was included in the World Cup squad subject to fully recovering from a fractured thumb injury he sustained during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in February this year.

There was a surprise World Cup call-up for 19-year-old rookie fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, who bowled at 150kph in the PSL earlier this year.

“Hasnain is exciting and can be a surprise package of the World Cup,” said Inzamam of the paceman, who played three one-day internationals against Australia last month, taking two wickets.

Sarfraz Ahmed will lead both the squads.

Another left-arm pacer, 29-year-old Junaid Khan, was preferred over Amir.

Opener Abid Ali, 31, also earned a call-up after scoring a debut hundred against Australia.